We enable people without access to traditional banks (including many women) to expand their businesses, educate their children, save for the future and raise themselves out of poverty. Through Kiva, a non-profit organisation working with microfinance institutions, you choose a borrower to support with a loan of just $25. Similar loans by other lenders are combined until the required total is reached. As your money is repaid you can withdraw it or lend it to someone else. Money that is loaned over and over again does more good than a one-time donation.Join 'Genealogists for Families' - together we are making a difference!

28 October 2011

The Genealogists for Families team on Kiva is now one month old. Our 40 members in Australia, Canada, USA, England, Scotland, Wales, Netherlands and Czech Republic have loaned a total of $1,450 to 58 individuals or groups. One loan is already 6% repaid.

If your name does not appear on our Team Members list but you want free publicity for your Web site, blog or business, do this:

Log in to your Kiva account. Click 'Lender Page'. Click the radio button beside your name (not the one beside Anonymous). Edit other sections of that page as you wish, and include a Web address for your business, blog, online family tree or whatever. Click 'Save changes'.

Please invite your friends and workmates to take part in the Genealogists for Families project. Everyone is welcome - not just family historians. We are helping people and we are having fun!

25 October 2011

Information about our project has just been published in GeneaPress: 'Genealogists for Families' Project. GeneaPress has all the latest genealogy industry news based on press releases issued by genealogy vendors, societies, educators and other service providers.

Thomas MacEntee has also written about the project in Geneabloggers. His last sentence is very special!

23 October 2011

Hello and welcome to genealogists, their family and friends, and anyone else who believes that small loans can make a big difference to those who are less fortunate.

The stand-alone pages explain the project's background, how to join, what else you can do, and the potential benefits of belonging to the team. Future blog posts will provide opportunities for you to share your Kiva tips and stories. I will also be inviting team members to do guest posts about their family history research or other interests.

I want this to be a friendly place where team members can have fun. This is also where we will announce prize draw winners, so Watch This Space!